2024 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 - Projecting Raiders Pick, More
The 2024 NFL Draft is just a little under two months away.
Teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders, are looking for young stars who they hope will improve their team long-term.
The NFL Scouting Combine wrapped up a few days ago, and many teams hope they now have a better understanding of which players they want to add to their team.
That said, here is our first official mock draft of the 2024 cycle.
1. Chicago Bears (from Panthers) -- Caleb Williams, QB, USC
This seems like the direction the Bears are going to go. They still have Justin Fields on the roster, but he seems to be on the way out. Chicago begins a new era at quarterback.
2. Washington Commanders -- Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
The Commanders get the next best quarterback in the draft, but in their -- and many teams’ book, Maye is the best quarterback. Maye threw for 63 touchdown passes in his Tar Heels career and can also make plays with his legs.
3. New England Patriots -- Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Quarterbacks go 1-2-3 for the first time since 2021, as the Heisman Trophy winner kicks off the Jerod Mayo era in New England. Daniels is a thin quarterback but throws with precision and excellent touch.
4. Arizona Cardinals -- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Harrison might be the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Buckeye had 2,613 yards in his career and can do virtually everything on the field. He gives Kyler Murray a true No. 1 receiving threat.
5. Los Angeles Chargers -- Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
If Harrison weren’t in this class, Nabers would be the best receiver. He is an explosive player who can create yards after the catch. The Chargers will need another receiver due to Keenan Allen’s age and the potential departure of Mike Williams.
6. New York Giants -- Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
After three straight quarterbacks, three straight wide receivers go off the board. The Giants need a No. 1 receiving option, and the explosive, dynamic Odunze could provide that for them.
7. Tennessee Titans -- Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
The Titans took an offensive lineman in the first round last draft but get themselves their left tackle of the future in Alt this year. The 6-foot-8 All-American allowed only one sack in two seasons.
8. Atlanta Falcons -- Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Falcons have struggled to rush the passer for a long time. Turner has the tools to be a dominant edge rusher in the NFL. He posted 22.5 sacks in his Crimson Tide career.
9. Chicago Bears -- Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Bears already have a productive tight end in Cole Kmet, but Bowers is too dynamic and unique a prospect to pass up. New Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron will have fun utilizing the two together.
10. New York Jets -- Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Jets struggled with injuries along their offensive line last season and need to find a long-term answer at left tackle. Fashanu can be that, with extreme athleticism and keen pass-blocking acumen.
11. Minnesota Vikings -- J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
The Kirk Cousins era in Minnesota could be over, so the Vikings go with a quarterback like McCarthy, who did not lose much in college. While his passing volume was lower than some of the other QBs in the class, he flashed some impressive throws on tape.
12. Denver Broncos -- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
The Broncos need a quarterback after the release of Russell Wilson, but they also need a dominant pass rusher. Verse could be that. A toolsy, strong, and fast player, Verse could be the true No. 1 threat off the edge the Broncos need.
13. Las Vegas Raiders -- Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Arguably the best cornerback in the draft, Arnold becomes the No. 1 cornerback for the Silver and Black. He has incredible IQ, instincts, and athleticism despite running a 4.5 40-yard dash at the Combine.
14. New Orleans Saints -- Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Andrus Peat is a free agent, and the Saints need to add their left tackle of the future. Fuaga is a mauler in the running game with room to grow as a pass blocker.
15. Indianapolis Colts - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
The Colts are searching for a No. 1 cornerback as Kenny Moore hits free agency. Mitchell is a competitor with great athleticism and shut-down coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, he did not allow a touchdown in coverage in 2023.
16. Seattle Seahawks -- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Boye Mafe led the Seahawks in sacks in 2023 with nine, but the Seahawks need another threat off the edge next to him. Latu is an athletic freak with great size and the ability to defend the run or pass.
The 2024 NFL Draft provides an opportunity to every team in the league to find star players.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
17. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
The Jaguars drafted an offensive lineman in the first round last season but could add another tackle to protect Trevor Lawrence in a 6-foot-7, 330-pound monster like Mims. Although he doesn’t have much starting experience, his tools are hard to pass up at this point.
18. Cincinnati Bengals -- Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington
A player who exploded at the NFL Combine, Fautanu has the athleticism to play guard or tackle. The Bengals select him here to find some long-term protection for Joe Burrow.
19. Los Angeles Rams -- J.C. Latham, OT, Alabama
The run of offensive tackles continues as the Rams find their left tackle of the future. Latham has the size and strength to be an efficient pass-blocker in the NFL.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
The Steelers land the best center prospect in the draft in Powers-Johnson. They recently released Mason Cole and need a player to move defenders in the running game.
21. Miami Dolphins -- Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, DT, Illinois
The Dolphins have decided not to pay Pro Bowler Christian Wilkins, so they might need to replace him in the middle of their defense. Newton is arguably the best defensive tackle in this class and could disrupt offensive lines in the AFC.
22. Philadelphia Eagles -- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
The Eagles need help in their secondary and, fortunately, have their pick of the litter at this position. Wiggins is a great athlete with incredible speed who could add some youth to that position group.
23. Houston Texans -- Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Texans already have some young talent in their secondary, but adding DeJean gives them some flexibility in what they can do. DeJean is an incredible athlete who can play cornerback and safety.
24. Dallas Cowboys -- Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
By adding Murphy, the Cowboys create a young defensive tackle duo with him and Mazi Smith, who they drafted last year. Teams won’t be running on the Cowboys. Murphy posted 15 tackles for losses and eight sacks in his college career.
25. Green Bay Packers -- Graham Barton, OL, Duke
The Packers value versatility in their offensive linemen, and Barton can play multiple positions. They could plug him into any spot on the line, and he will give immediate production in the running game.
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
The Buccaneers brought back Mike Evans and still have Chris Godwin on the roster, but they could add Thomas to their WR room and make for a dynamic trio. Thomas caught 24 touchdowns in his career at LSU.
27. Arizona Cardinals -- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
Despite a fracture in his foot, McKinstry still finds himself in the first round. The Cardinals could use a No. 1 cornerback for Jonathan Gannon’s defense, and McKinstry’s athleticism and competitiveness could make him a perfect fit.
28. Buffalo Bills -- Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Bills need a receiving option next to Stefon Diggs. Mitchell, with his elite size and speed, could create chemistry with Josh Allen.
29. Detroit Lions -- Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Lions need an edge rushing presence across from Aidan Hutchinson, so they find one in one of the freakiest athletes in the class. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Robinson ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
30. Baltimore Ravens -- Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
The Ravens have five cornerbacks entering free agency, so they need to find a long-term option. Lassiter is a physical, technically proficient cornerback who could be the next excellent piece in the Ravens’ defense.
31. San Francisco 49ers -- Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
The 49ers could upgrade their offensive line by adding one of the best centers in the class. Frazier, a First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2023, is one of the best run blockers in the draft.
32. Kansas City Chiefs -- Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Worthy, the record-setting runner at the NFL Combine, could provide plenty of speed to the Chiefs’ passing game. He caught 197 passes for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns in his college career.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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